Black clothed, lamp lit tables crowd around an intimate stage from which the deep, dulcet tones of a double bass waft. We’re in a jazz bar in Philadelphia that’s well past its prime, except for this one night in 1959, because Billie Holiday is set to grace its stage in all her grandeur and talent for one of her last ever performances.

Musical biopic Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill invites modern audiences to sit in on one of jazz icon Billie Holiday’s final performances. In the throes of alcoholism and fighting the weight of immense personal and generational trauma experienced as a black woman living in America in the 20th Century, Holiday strives to deliver a performance worthy of a New York stage, despite losing her right to perform there, to her Philadelphia audience.

At the heart of this story is the impact of life on art, and art on life. Holiday’s most known songs (‘Taint Nobody’s Business If I Do, Strange Fruit, What a Little Moonlight Can Do, Easy Livin’, God Bless the Child) are borne from protest, struggle, tragedy and love. Singing in the city where just a few years previously Holiday was incarcerated, and in a vulnerable period of her life, they overwhelm her with the weight of their history.

Zahra Newman achieves incredible depth as Holiday, impeccably capturing her unique vocal style and mannerisms. Holiday’s unending affection for her audience, her ‘friends’ as she calls them, is genuine, and garners our love and investment that becomes heartache as the story of her life unfolds, and Holiday along with it.

Direction by Mitchell Butel expertly guides the story in its gradual descent from composure to the brink of collapse, not moving too fast or too slow. Newman, alone and in her dialogue with band mate Jimmy Powers, played by Kym Purling, has been given the space to find their rhythm organically, to immense pay off.

For those less familiar with Holiday’s discography, some of the connections between her songs and their meaning may be somewhat lost and the reverence for her persevering, value led word is diminished in favour of the more prominent tragic story elements.

Costuming and set design by Ailsa Patterson’s create a stunning contrast that tells so much of the story before any words are spoken. The stage immerses the audience completely in the gritty side of the 1950s jazz era, while Holiday’s resplendent white gown harkens back to the more glamorous circles in which she used to perform.

A powerful and unique night at the theatre (or jazz club, as it were), Lady Day is a heartfelt ode to one of the greats.

Purchase your ticket to Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill here.

Sangiovese | Wine Pairing

Sultry and sweet, Sangiovese oozes jazz and blues in its melody of roast vegetable, red and black fruit and clove spice flavours.

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Belvoir St Theatre | Tasting Notes

Aussie Season	25 Aug to 9 Sept 2023, State Theatre Company South Australia | 14 Sept to 15 Oct 2023, Belvoir St Theatre | 19 Oct to 2 Dec 2023, Melbourne Theatre Company
Ticket $	$50-93
Writer	written by Lanie Robertson, music arrangement by Danny Holgate
Director	Mitchell Butel
Theatre Type & Genre	Jukebox Musical
See it if you like	biopics, musicals, Billie Holiday
Wine Pairing	Sangiovese
Criteria for Wine Pairing	mix of sultry and sweet flavours